In Brief
The Supreme Court examined batch petitions alleging unauthorized surveillance of Indian citizens using Pegasus spyware by foreign entities or domestic agencies, brought by journalists and activists whose devices were allegedly compromised. The Union of India filed only a limited affidavit denying allegations without specific details, citing national security. The Court found the petitioners had established a prima facie case meriting investigation and appointed an independent technical committee overseen by a retired Supreme Court judge to investigate the allegations, rejecting the State's offer to investigate itself as violating judicial fairness principles.
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